The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-08-18
THE GROWING CROPS.
CONDITION AND GENERAL OUTLOOK
ON THE FIRST OF AUGUST.

, Cotton--Heary Reduction in the Condi-
tion of Corn--No Improvement in Spring &
Wheat--A Poor Fruit Crop.
: WASHINGTON, August 1O.-The August
, report of the Department of Agriculture
gives che following facts and figures rs
to the condition of the growing crops
throughout the country:
COTTON.
The past month has been favorable,
except that tho rainfall has been un-
equally distributed in point OF timo, the
drought threatening at one period and
, damaging rains following. In tho cast.
erp belt tho excess of moisture predomi-
mates as factor Of depreciation. The
weed is therefore large and sappy, and
the fruit fall appears in some fields
serious, and somo cases of rust appear.
In Louisiana similar conditions have
prevailed, and only very partially in
Mississippi. Texas has been too dry,
though the drought has not as yet been
disastrous or severe. The prevalent
status of the crop is very good for the
1st of August. While the reports re-
cognize this as critical time and fear
the effect Of subsequent droughts on the
green and succulent condition Of the
plant, yet, in O comparison Of ten ears,
tho August condition is only exceeded
by that of 1882 and 1885, the one pro-
ducing large crop and the other an
under medium yield. The general aver
age condition is 93.3, which is lower, by
over three points, than that of July.
The State averages arc as follows: Vir-
ginia 81, North Carolina 96, South Car
olina 95, Georgia 81, Florida SO, Ala
bama 93, Mississippi 90, Louisiana %,
Texas So, Arkansas 81, Tennessee 95.
The first brood of caterpillars has ap-
pearod i'll several States, but is not gen
orally mentioned in the returns. Il is
reported in Orangeburg and Berkeley,
s. c., in Calhoun, Taylcr, Dooly and
ID, Laurens, Georgia; in Halo and Dallas,
Alabama; i'll Stark, Newton, Issaqucena
3and Oktibboha, Mississippi; in Red
Rlver, Bossicr, Richland Natchitoches
and lbervillc, Louisiana, and i'll Stuph-
ems Camp and Jackson, Texas. The boil
+, worm is much less frequently mentic ned.
CEREALS.
: The prospect Il month ago was for a
%very heavy crop of corn and the rate Of
yield about tho average. Its condition
IL all the States OF the Atlantic coast is
now unimpnired and of very high prom
ise. In T.>"s and Tennessee tho ccndi-
ton b. d materially. In the
ccntrP - y, 10
aslCys -
two-thnu.
commercial ~,
heavy reduction h.,- p.... i, ~. 4s..l.
has made the national average 8O.7, in
stead OF 97.7 last month. The cause il
the long g-continu2d drought, which has
been severest in Kansas, Illinois, ludi-
ana, Ohio and Michigan. Nebraska has
been scorched on the southerIy borGer,
and Iowa and Missouri have escaped
with comparatively light loss, as have
the more Northern States. The seven
corn surplus States stand as follows:
Ohio 81, Indiana 81, Illinois G5, Iowa
90, Nlissuri 80, Kansas 60, Nebraska IS.
The condition of spring wheat, which
was reported very low last month, from
ravages of chinch bug, is not improved
IN the August returns, but has fallen off
very slightly. Tho general average is
1873, two points less than the August re-
turns of last year. Dakota has made a
dltlon. The average for Wisconsin is 70,
Minnesota 70, Iowa 72, Nebraska II,
Dakota 80. In the extreme cast and
Pacific coast the condition of s,rinp
wheat is high. There is no report OF
winter wheat the present month, us it is
too early to obtain results
In the oats crop there is no chonoe.
A part of tho breadth was harvested at
last reports. The condition AVERAGES
85.6, which indicates q crop slightly IN
der the average.
The barley crop promises to Weld
rather better than was feared last month
The eastern product averages hiohcr
condition, but is reduced slightly since
last reports. The average is 86.2, indi-
eating nearly an average yield.
BuckWheat appears to be practically
the same as last year and averages about
DOB in condition.
TOBACCO.
The tobacco crop is in high condition
IN the seed leaf States, averaging nearly
lOu, except IN Winconsin. The shipping
and cutting district Of the West make
unprecedented reports of low condition
Tennessee So, Kentucky 80, Ohio 55,
Indiana So, Illinois 50, Missouri 60. In
view of the heavy reduction in acreage
in fragments, the usual crop may be ex-
pected. An official investigation of the
area now in progress will determine au-
thoritatively the breadth cultivated the
present year.
POTATOES
There is great reduction since the
Jst OF July III tho condition of potatoes,
almost ali entirely tho result of drought.
ihefe Is no material decline on the
Atlantic or Gulf coasts, but the injury
Is severe IN tho West. The loss during
the month as reported is fully 20 pcI
cent OF the prospective crop.
FRUIT
The fruit crop is very poor, There
will be few apples outside New Enojond
and New York, There will be nortioi ii,I
crop in Michigan. In the Ohio RiUo,
States the harvest will be nearly an enl
tire failure. ." ei-
HAY.
The hay crop is also greatly reduced
In the West the general crop is 80.
THE CROPS IN THE STATE.
ne condition of Cotton, Corn, Rice and